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This page describes what phobias are, how they make you feel and what help is available. This will also be useful if you have a friend or family member with a phobia. If you are suffering from a phobia, and would like help on how to manage it you can contact us.
There are lots of websites that can provide you with more information on phobias, and we have listed some of these at the bottom of the page. Below is some general information about phobias, and what kind of treatment is availiable.
Fear is a form of anxiety triggered by a situation or an object. We know what it’s like to be afraid in certain situations and change our behaviour accordingly – avoiding dark alleys and standing back from the edge of a cliff. These are understandable responses to situations where we might be harmed. When there is a real threat, for example if you are about to be attacked, fear is a sensible and realistic response, and your body will release adrenaline and prepare for ‘fight or flight’.
A fear becomes a phobia when you have an exaggerated or unrealistic sense of danger about a situation (eg. going outside) or an object (eg. buttons). You will often begin to organise your life around avoiding the thing that is causing you anxiety.
If you have a phobia, you usually won’t have any symptoms until you face the situation or object that you fear. If your phobia is very severe, then even thinking about the object of your phobia can provoke anxiety. Some of the most common signs and symptoms of phobia are in the diagram below.
These symptoms can make you feel more anxious, which releases more adrenaline (see above), and this vicious circle can lead to a full-blown panic attack. Although these feelings will pass, you may feel stressed and frightened by them, and this can make you feel out of control and overwhelmed. Afterwards, you may feel depressed and embarrassed about it. All this may make you nervous and anxious about being on your own and having to cope with such an experience.
It is impossible to list every phobia because they can develop around any object or situation: from fear of cotton wool to a fear of vomiting. In practice they can be roughly categorised into two groups:
These are phobias about one thing; for example, spiders or flying. They often develop in childhood or adolescence, and for many people they will lessen as they get older. It is difficult to group specific phobias into categories; this list shows some of the more common ones, but there are many more:
If you have a specific phobia about something which you do not come into contact with in everyday life then it might be easier to cope with than a phobia about something which you have to face often. However, this is not always the case. If you have a very severe phobia it can cause fear and anxiety even when the object or situation is not present.
Complex phobias tend to be more disruptive and disabling than specific phobias and often develop after adolescence. Two of the most common complex phobias are social phobia and agoraphobia.
If you have social phobia (sometimes called social anxiety) then you will feel very anxious when you have to be around people. You might worry that they are going to be critical of you, and that you will do something embarrassing. For some people, social phobia can be connected to one specific activity, such as public speaking, but it can be much more severe. It can become incredibly debilitating and a seemingly impossible challenge to engage in everyday activities, like shopping, eating out or meeting friends.
" Most people call me SHY but I always knew that what I was suffering was much more than this. I can’t even go out of the front door for fear that somebody may see me."
– Anxiety UK
Agoraphobia is widely thought to be a fear of open spaces, but it is more complex than this. The essential feature of agoraphobia is that you will feel anxious about being in places or situations from which escape might be difficult, embarrassing, or in which help may not be available in the event of having a panic attack. This anxiety will then result in you avoiding of a variety of situations that may include: being alone, inside or outside the home; being in a crowd of people; travelling by car, bus or plane; or being on a bridge or in a lift.
"Leaving my home is frightening, I am constantly petrified something terrible is going to happen, and the fear triggers panic attacks. I am reliant on my mother, having lost my confidence and independence. " Anxiety UK
You may find that if you experience agoraphobia you also dislike being alone (monophobia), and may also become anxious in small confined spaces (claustrophobia).
There doesn’t seem to be one particular cause of phobias, but there are several factors that might play a role.
For some people the phobia can be linked to a particular incident or trauma; for example, a child who experiences a lot of turbulence on a plane might develop a phobia about flying.
Phobias can be learned responses, picked up in early life – you might develop the same specific phobia as a parent or older sibling. It has also been shown that factors in the family environment, such as parents who are very worried or anxious, can have an effect on the way you cope with anxiety in later life.
There does seem to be some evidence that genetics can play a role – some people appear to be born with a tendency to be more anxious than others.
You might find that it is helpful to try and work out a specific cause for your own phobia, but you might equally feel that there is not a simple explanation; either way, avoiding the object or situation that is making you phobic, will make your fear worse.
Phobias are common and you may feel that yours is upsetting, but not severe enough to affect your everyday life. However, if avoidance of the object, activity, or situation that triggers your phobia does interfere with your everyday life, or keeps you from doing things you would otherwise enjoy, it’s time to seek help.
Consider getting treatment for your phobia if:
Different options are available to help you, and there is no right or wrong way to approach treatment. Many people who experience phobias use self-help techniques, including relaxation, for example, to manage and overcome the symptoms. Self-help options can also be used at the same time as accessing professional support.
If you want support from a healthcare professional, then the first place to go would normally be your GP. Your GP should explain all of your options to you, and your views should be taken into account before any treatment is started. You can also contact us directly. There are three main types of treatment recommended by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) for anxiety and panic disorders (there are no guidelines specifically written about phobia):
Contact us here if you would like to access FREE CBT treatment, we currently do not have a waiting list.
If your symptoms are moderate, or if you have not found CBT helpful, you could be referred to the Community Mental Health Team (CMHT). The CMHT will give you a more thorough assessment which will look at your health and social care needs. The CMHT will bring together a range of professionals such as psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and occupational therapists.
The assessment can also include the needs of carers and relatives. The CMHT will use your assessment to develop a care plan which should name your care co-ordinator and outline the kinds of treatment and support that are available to you. Your care plan should be regularly reviewed and your care co-ordinator should be in regular contact with you.
Anxiety UK
08444 775 774
Information, counselling, helpline and online support
British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP)
0161 705 4304
Lists accredited therapists
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
01455 883 300
For details of local practitioners
Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council
020 3178 2199
Lists hypnotherapists and other complementary healthcare practitioners
NICE
Guidance on anxiety and panic disorders
No Panic
0808 808 0545
For people experiencing anxiety disorders, such as phobias
TOP UK (Triumph over Phobia)
0845 600 9601
Helps sufferers of phobia or obsessive-compulsive disorder
Books Can Help
This is the Kent Libraries & Archives' books on prescription scheme. This scheme aims to assist people with mild to moderate mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, phobias and eating disorders.
Mental Health Matters Helpline
Confidential emotional support and guidance – Tel. 0800 107 0160
Mental Health Matters Helpline is a confidential service staffed by highly trained and experienced Telephone Helpline Workers, offering emotional support to anyone calling. We provide information on local and national services specific to Mental Health. You do not need a diagnosed illness to call, people contact us about many different issues's such as bereavement, relationship problems, loneliness/isolation and stress. Ongoing support is available, we are also here for carers in need of support.
Live it Well
The Live It Well website provides information on mental wellbeing, and provides more information about support groups and services in your area.
Signpost UK
The Signpost UK website provides information on mental health problems, information for carers and links to local services.
Kent County Council
If you have been trying to manage your symptoms by using alcohol or drugs please visit the Kent County Council website which provides a list of services that are availiable across Kent.